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URGENT: MEAPA NEEDS YOUR HELP

Posted 11 months ago by Kimberly Caldwell

MEAPA NEEDS YOUR HELP!

 


Our bill LD 2043 "An Act to Add the State of Maine to the Compact for Licensing Physician Assistants"
has been scheduled for HCIFS Committee public hearing
Tuesday, Jan 9, 2024 at 1:00PM
Cross Building, room 220, State House, Augusta.

PLEASE testify in person, via zoom or in writing! 

Reminder: 

The PA Compact is an interstate licensure agreement to simplify practice portability across some state lines. Participating states must pass this legislation to join the compact. So far Utah, Delaware and Wisconsin have passed the PA Compact, there are at least 6 other states including ME and NH that have introduced it this year to their states legislation. Visit PACOMPACT.org for the state map/information/resources.
MEAPA wants our ME licenses to:
  • Permit us to provide telehealth to our patients who live in other participating states (and vice versa)
  • Make it simpler to transition to clinical practice in other participating states

                 AND MOST IMPORTANTLY

  • Entice PAs in other participation states to come to Maine to practice, aiding our growing provider shortage issue.
Doc's, nurses, OT and RT already have compacts like this, now it's PA's turn.

Helpful Tips:

For In person testimony:

  • Keep testimony less than 3 minutes in spoke duration, additional time is given for questions committee may ask.
  • Start your testimony with "Senator Bailey, Representative Perry and members of the Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services Committee, my name is ______.  I am a resident of ______ and a practice in _____. I am speaking to you today to encourage you to vote "Ought to Pass for LD 2043." Followed by why you feel Maine should join the interstate licensure compact. 
  • Additional information about the PA compact is available on our website or AAPA's reference document for legislative testimony to help you craft your message.

For live Zoom or written testimony submission:

  • DEADLINE IS 1/9/24 at 1PM
  • Link: Online Testimony Submission (mainelegislature.org)
  • Select: Public Hearing>Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee>January 9th, 2024 1:00 PM>LD 2043 - An Act to Add the State of Maine to the Compact for Licensing Physician Assistants. 
  • Then follow the prompts/fill fields for either uploaded written testimony vs zoom/tele testimony registration. 
  • We recommend you still:
    • Start your testimony with "Senator Bailey, Representative Perry and members of the Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services Committee, my name is ______.  I am a resident of ______ and a practice in _____. I am writing/speaking to you today to encourage you to vote "Ought to Pass for LD 2043." Followed by why you feel Maine should join the interstate licensure compact. 
    • Additional information about the PA compact is available on our website or AAPA's reference document for legislative testimony to help you craft your message.

MEAPA will ask for your support once more with templated letters to your personal legislators when the bill (hopefully) reaches the Senate/House floor for a vote later this year.

Thank you for your continued support of MEAPA and AAPA advocacy initiatives for the PA profession.

Any questions or assistance needed, please email MEAPA President, Kimberly Caldwell directly at MEAPA.KCaldwell@gmail.com.